Other than the fabulous Portillos, I like eating at quite a few local places. Since I live near the park, I can enjoy a lot of these places. These are all non-fast food/major chains like McDonalds or BK.

Momcorn is a great local Latino place. Great authentic food. Right across the street

There is a new place "Craving" that opened a little bit down from Burger King last summer (It's by the Dunkin Donuts). Burgers, Beef, dogs and a huge order of fries.

A few other restaurant changes in Gurnee since the park closed (or a little before the end of the 2015 season)1) In Laws restaurant (Sit down) that was by the employee entrance on Milwaukee Ave was gutted and is now Primo - an upscale Italian restaurant with a Chef from the Food Network competition (Chef Wanted) and Hell's Kitchen. 2) iHop closed down and is now vacant. Hooters will be opening in that spot in the July/August time frame.3) Portillo's - already mentioned, but very good. Plan extra time as it is not as fast as McDonalds - but worth the wait4) Pizza Hut now has moved from outside Gurnee Mill to the strip mall right next to Burger King (Quick personal pan pizza maybe). There is maybe six table as it is more for carry-out now.5) The Chocolate Experience is new too, but it more upscale. The is at Washington and Milwaukee too.6) Buffalo Wild Wings was built onto Gurnee Mills around the Macy's parking lot by Marshalls. 7) Jersey Mike's move to the strip mall in front of Gurnee Mill last spring, but most people do not know it is here. Next to Jersey Mikes is Five Guys.

Also already mentioned - Sammy is a great place too and have a huge menu, but is a bit father (10 minute drive West).

Durango's near Washington and 41 makes killer quesadillas and is the closest place to the park I'd recommend (avoid the burger place in the same shopping center). BBQ'd Productions is less than 10 minutes west in Third Lake - near Washington and 45. They're pricey but their sauces are fantastic.

I avoid everything near the park like the plague, now... the chain trash was making me sick. I'll go to Portillo's if dragged there but don't care for it. Jesus Chicken is OK but expensive. White Castle got sick of being slammed when the park closed so they started closing their dining room early several years ago. Steak-N-Shake is notoriously slow. In-Laws is sorely missed.

astucks18 wrote:Twisted burger in grayslake has every burger combo you could ever want. ~10 minutes away

In Laws closing (well..changing) is the main reason I started getting the dining pass. If I'm going to eat crappy inedible food, I might as well save time and money and just eat it inside the park, only part I miss is leaving the park for something less hectic and air conditioned/heated

FParker185 wrote:In Laws closing (well..changing) is the main reason I started getting the dining pass. If I'm going to eat crappy inedible food, I might as well save time and money and just eat it inside the park, only part I miss is leaving the park for something less hectic and air conditioned/heated

I only went there for the all-you-can-eat Pizza and I didn't like having to wait 30-45 minutes for a pizza. Hence why I stopped going and went to Golden Corral.

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